The story follows a similar path of Boyz n the Hood from which the audience will recognize the name Tré.  Here the name has mutated into Ashtray, and is performed by Shawn Wayans.  The film opens with a picturesque aerial shot of the neighborhood where a stop sign is one of the first things that attracts the audience’s attention, which states, “I wouldn’t stop if I was you.”  It is a brief display of impending parody and the comic tone that will heavily play with stereotypes and prejudices, but it also hints of the merciless assault of satire that the Wayans will deliver in this film.

Ashtray’s mother drops him off at his father’s place while she states, “You know there ain’t no positive black females in these movies.”  Ashtray is supposed to learn how to become a man from his father.  Hilariously the audience will discover that Ashtray’s father is younger than him, and this immature character could not possibly teach Ashtray any character qualities such as responsibility and loyalty.  Instead, the father informs him not to smoke or drink his stuff while also letting him spend bedtime with the women he brings home.  Despite the crazy humor, the Wayans produce serious undercurrents that deal with racial issues, stereotypes across ethnic groups, and gender issues.

The social importance of friendships is seen through Ashtray’s cousin Loc Dog (Marlon Wayans) whose identity is more or less ripped off from O-Dog in Menace II Society.  The parody does not take any hostages in this film, as it fools around with the idea of being in bad company.  Together Loc Dog and Ashtray continue to display the daily struggles of living in the ‘hood.  There are moments when the film presents high quality parody to scenes where the comedy sinks to the level of a third grader’s poop humor.  Nevertheless, Don’t Be a Menace touches a part of the American tapestry with brutal honesty, as this spoof could also serve as a social criticism.  The scene where they play Po’Nopoly, a Monopoly spoof, highlights some of the dismal situations where society limits the African-Americans.

Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood might suggest to some that there have been too many films about struggling young African-American males.  Maybe the parody is on society, as several films have to be made, yet no significant changes have been made to help promote a better situation for African-Americans.  The Wayans recognize the problem and through this parody deliver a message that something has to be done so people do not need to say, “Man, I need to get out of this place.”

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USA

Filmography links and data courtesy of